“It is absolutely disgusting to continue honouring the name of that monstrous profiteer who brought the slave trade to Bristol and whose 'charity' had ambiguous motives. It's not about changing history. We know that can't be done. But why glorify the names of those that history has discredited? The Colston Hall redevelopment has been a missed opportunity in every way. Instead of gutting the building and transforming it into a decent venue - and changing its name to something all of Bristol could be proud of - we have a shiny wall a new staircase and one extra space in which musicians can play background music to an ignorant audience for no money.”

“This issue is difficult as people are offended by so much. But I don't agree that Colstons' legacy isn't clear or is in some way hidden. Don't we all know he was a major player in the slave trade by now ? And people like Mr Stephenson have helped a lot to publicise this necessarry information. Piero's bridge and the Georgian house exhibition have gone some way to redress the previous biased view on Bristol's past. But enough. Its ridiculous to try and do some Orwellian manipulation of history and air brush out Colston from Bristol's history. Bad, good or just a man of his times he was there and should remain. As is also pointed out Thomas Clarkson needs more focus-I recommend Mr Stephenson goes and has a Pint at the 7 Stars pub where he stayed in Bristol and see the memorials to him there. Finally some pedantic history; Wilberforce didn't get slavery abolished-only the trade. And there was a slave market in Bristol in the 11th centurty. And Lundy was a 'white' slaving island in the 1600's-when is the King of Morrocoo going to apologise?”

“The Race Industry is in danger of losing its privaleged position at the forefront of political debate. Paul Stephenson, Shirley Brown (Marshall), the Legal and Equalities units in the Council House and many others depend on such stunts to stop the erosion of their market. There's good jobs and pensions in this industry.

Mad, Bad and Sad eh?”

“I wonder if Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, commanding officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards who was killed near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Wednesday will be awarded an OBE. . He really deserves one.”

“I can identify with both sides of this debate. Perhaps it's worth noting that the use of child/non-mixed-race slave labour in textile mills, foundaries, mines etc. has built the fortunes of many cities.

Should the partons of these cities be discredited for their contibutions too? Bitter fact: In order for prosperity someone is ALWAYS being exploited. This is not justification or excuse.

Mr Stephenson, use your privileged position to improve the future of the people you represent with strong and reasoned argument. Dwelling on the past makes a dinosaur of us all.”

“Once again Paul Stephenson has put his foot in it and proved himself to be a racist by digging up a previous well debated issue.We all hate the diabolical way in which the slaves were treated,but today we live in a different world,and we are all equal.
So stop trying to change history Paul and serve the people you represent by trying to improve their lot in today's society.You would earn a lot more respect that way,especially do it quietly without the self promotion.
I might even get to like you.”

“Nyah - you miss the point entirely. The point being made is that Mr Stephenson is talking absolute hogwash and needs to get his facts right. He and his ilk also need to be consistent in their arguements.”

“I can understand the disappointment that Paul Stephenson would have felt being the only Black couple at the event and I am not surprised, neither am I surprised by any the comments made as most things in Bristol have shown me that it is segregated, out of touch and blatantly racist after being exposed in January 2009 on the Inside Out programme.
Once again descendants of slave traders speak their minds and tell us the descendants of slaves to forget it, get the chip off our shoulder, get over the atrocities committed in our history. Yet we are continually reminded of the inequality living and working in Britain everyday.
History taught in primary schools for Black British children teaches that slavery started and was abolished there is no mention of the role of black people thereafter, an example only now is Mary Seacole being remembered for her work as a nurse in the Crimea War but Florence Nightingale is remembered and immortalised on a £10 note. The BBC produce programmes tracing your ancestors, your family trees this is almost impossible for many Black British people who are descended from slaves, you have no shame in rubbing our noses in it and then complain when objections are made with comments previously mentioned.
These responses both online and in the paper are offensive and prejudiced. Bristol likes to promote its city as multicultural which has had a long and strong Black history but a true reflection of slavery in noughties in today¿s Bristol is the lack of Black and minority ethnic faces in the City council, the Business sector, Banks, Media representation and at functions such as the showcase at Colston Hall.
Shame on you.”

“I am often amused by the fact that Mr Stephenson and his cronies were so upset by the name "Merchant's Quarter" that they campaigned to get it changed.

They were strangely silent however over the name "Cabot Circus" even though Cabot's voyage was funded by the Merchant Venturers and opened up the routes which made the triangular slave trade possible.

Combine this with the truth about Edward Colston's fortune and his charitable works, and Mr Stephenson obviously has little grasp of historical reality.”

“Stephenson is nothing more than a lod-mouth who got his OBE for Services to Self-Promotion.

His periodic rants should be starved of the oxygen of publicity.”